"Set Free", a symbolic mixed media painting

Set Free is the second piece in the current series I'm working on. The first was posted on April 25, 2011, I Want to be a Visionary (image shown below). The inspiration for this series is taken from my journal and journey, and are for me a type of symbolic visual devotional. So I'll include here some of the Scripture that inspired the painting and my writing. 

   The symbolism in this painting is more straightforward. When working on the bird I read an article telling about how finches were taken from the wild because of their red plumage and captured to be sold as domestic birds. Eventually, it was found out and they were set free. So I chose red for the color of the bird wings, symbolizing us as humans who are also made to be free. The cerulean blue of the word freedom and outlining of images is to reflect the freedom and open space of the blue sky.

Psalm 124:6-8 NIV

"Praise be to the LORD…

We have escaped like a bird out of a fowler's snare;

the snare has been broken,

and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, 

the maker of heaven and earth."

"Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."  - 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…." - Galatians 5:1 NIV

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of the life set me free 

from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:1-2 NIV

The Spirit of truth will set you free.

from John 8:32

"I want to be a Visionary" copyright Valerie Sjodin 2011

from April 25, 2011 posting